They shelled out big money for a safety, the position they’ve been unable to figure out since letting veteran Brian Dawkins walk in 2009.

But despite the outlay the Eagles didn’t get either of the top rated players at the position. Instead they agreed to terms on a three-year contract with Malcolm Jenkins, who the New Orleans Saints selected in the first round of the 2009 draft as a cornerback.

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“We really liked Malcolm’s versatility,” Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said in a statement. “He can line up at either safety spot, can come in and make a tackle and can play man-to-man as well. I had a chance to study him on tape leading up to the playoff game and really liked what I saw. He’s a sharp kid and is ultra-competitive. We are really happy to have him in Philadelphia.”

Jairus Byrd and T.J. Ward were widely considered the top free agent safeties. Jenkins played corner at Ohio State but raised red flags after running a pedestrian 4.53 in the 40-yard dash at the scouting combine.

“Malcolm is someone we’ve had our eye on for quite a while,” general manager Howie Roseman said. “He has been a productive player his entire football career, both in New Orleans and at Ohio State. Everything you hear about Malcolm as a person is true. He was a two-time defensive captain with the Saints and is a high character player. We are excited to add a guy like that to the culture we have established here.”

Jenkins, 26, agreed to a deal worth up to $16.25 million according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who reported the signing.

Jenkins (6-0, 204) is coming off a season with a career-high two interceptions, 2˝ sacks and two forced fumbles to go with 68 tackles.

Jenkins, who earned $2.9 million last season, notched 4 solo tackles in the Saints’ 26-24 wild card victory over the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Saints weren’t overly thrilled with Jenkins. They selected safety Kenny Vaccaro with the 15th overall pick in the 2013 draft.

Later Tuesday the Saints set up a visit with Byrd according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. But that’s another story for another day.

Jenkins tweeted he’s “Very excited about being a part of the @Eagles organization! I loved every minute I spent in New Orleans but all good things come to an end.”

The Eagles also announced they’ve agreed to terms on a three-year contract with punter Donnie Jones and have cut safety Patrick Chung.

Jones averaged 40.3 net yards and dropped a club-record 33 punts inside the 20-yard line of the opposition. He also turns 34 in July.

“Donnie proved he was a great weapon for us last year,” Kelly said in a statement furnished by the team. “He had a really good season for us. I like the fact that we continued our trend of re-signing our core players. He’s a good teammate and a player we prioritized during this free agency process.”

Chung struggled mightily in his only season with the club, one in which his effectiveness was limited by injuries. Chung made $2.965 million for what was one of his least productive NFL seasons. The Eagles didn’t furnish statements about Chung.

When the Eagles announced the release of Chung, it was obvious they would add to the position. And they did.

Jenkins almost certainly will team with strong safety Earl Wolff, a rookie last year unless the Eagles re-sign Nate Allen, Kurt Coleman or Colt Anderson, all unrestricted free agents.

Several safeties came off the board shortly after free agency and the new NFL year began at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Donte Whitner, 28, got a four-year $28 million deal to leave San Francisco and sign with the Cleveland Browns. Whitner intercepted just two passes but registered 63 tackles, most of them bone-crushers.

Antoine Bethea, 29, got a four-year $26 million deal from the Niners per reports. Bethea had two picks and 89 tackles with the Colts last season.

Ward agreed to sign with the Denver Broncos according to Schefter.

Among six remaining Eagles free agents, quarterback Michael Vick reportedly was being targeted by the New York Jets, where Marty Mornhinweg is the offensive coordinator. Mornhinweg helped resuscitate Vick’s career with the Eagles.

The other Eagle to become an unrestricted free agent is defensive lineman Clifton Geathers.